Restoration 101

I thought it would be fun to demonstate via text and a few visuals what transpires during one of My typical restoration projects. Follow along in the weeks to come as We take a punished vintage Bulova to primo.

Upon recieiving the watch is disassembled into its basic components, the thrashed flex band and aftermarket plastic domed crystal are disguarded and the case is thoroughly cleaned. Pleasantries discovered are a Rose Gold case bezel, which is in good condition and should polish up nicely and an original copper dial with printed exploding two tone numerals.

Movement models, manufacturing dates and case serial numbers are obtained and a quick check of the Swiss 17 Jewel 8AH reveals it was produced in 1945, winds and sets correctly and is running strong.

A parts list is then compiled as to what the 1945 Senator will need to look presentable once more. A new set of Blued Steel Index style Hands, a new Rose Gold Bulova crown, and a new glass are the most obvious, the crown being the most challenging.

The dial becomes an issue as it shows dirt from age but doesn't appear to be scratched or worn.

Next We'll pull the hand (lol) then send the 8AH downtown to the watchmaker for a tune up and oil change.

To refinish or not to refinish, that is the question. Time to source some parts...

I decided to try and clean the Senators dial using old school methods. The end results are debatable as some of the numerals are worn more than originally thought, although a marked improvement and leaving a vintage feel the dial will be removed and sent out for refinishing.

Some of the parts needed to pull the project together are beginning to arrive including a new old stock Rose Gold Bulova crown, period correct of coarse....

A new dial was sourced elimating the need to refinish the old Dial and allowing Us to call this Watch original. The correct Crown is installed along with a pair of new Fils style Hour and Minute Hands and Index Sub seconds Hand.

Coming from a discerning collector such as Yourself I sincerely appreciate that. I'm all about attention to detail, preservation of the brand, will not compromise in any circumstance and feel very fortunate to have 3 Generations of Bulova experience in My back pocket.

This project is not My first time around the block as You know and in any true restoration it's either correct or it's not.

I am wondering if the hands on both of the Spencer ads above show modern hands & I believe that index hands are installed on the Spencer under restoration? Can you explain that subtle deviation please?

The Index or 'Fils' style, as they are referred to when Black (or Blued), Hands came on the watch when I obtained possession, rather than deviate they were replaced with the same assuming due to the Watch's initial condition they were original and correct for this piece.

I've seen it both ways, with the Modern style of Hand and the Fils style. The way I restored the piece is the way it came into My possession and, judging by its overall condition at that time, original.

Fils Hands with an Index style Sub Second Hand.

2 examples of that configuration below, one with an Index and one with a Sweep seconds Hand although I would say the Sweep is wrong with the Fils style Hands:

**An interesting observation, and a heated subject in another thread is that in the images You show the Dial has a fully obscured Six numeral, 1946 You said?

I have Senator ads for 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1948 & a picture of an authentic 1941Senator. I cannot find another ad for a Spencer ad except 1943. A jewlers ad at the top of this string shows a Senator mislabled as a Spencer, and I quote the comments above the ad "Due to recently uncovered information the model undergoing restoration is changed to "SPENCER" not "SENATOR" as previously thought." All of the ad pictures of the Senators show modern style hands and so does the picture of the 1949 Senator. In other comments you are claiming ever everything is correct. I disagree with your assumption that the watch had the correct hands when you recieved it. You have the right as the owner of the watch to modify the watch any way you want & name it any name you want. However, it is not authentic. One wrong label in an ad does not turn a Senator into a Spencer.

I do agree the Fils hands do look cool on the copper dials! No Pistols just facts!

These are the ads I could find, left to right: 1940, 1941, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1948 . The ad third from left is a 1944 & shows a partial 6. However, all of these Senator ads show the Modern style hands. The copper dials did not show well in ads, hence the lighter dials in the ads.

I am thinking a Swiss made vs USA made conflict on the dials. Maybe the movement markings U.S.A. or SWISS can tell us something. On my 1941 Senator dial there is no marking as to manufacture location & the 8AE 17 jewel movement is made in U.S.A.

* I think the ads on file and image observations show indeed this is not a Senator and leans more toward a case style change in the Spencer as the Spencer is clearly shown as having the printed exploding numeral Dial.

Circa 1943 ad above.

Any further discussion should be directed here: http://www.mybulova.com/node/1442

In finishing out the choice of Strap for Our project was difficult, after swapping numerous shades of Brown a final decision was made to mount the Watch onto a basic Black Vintage Pigskin which brought up another issue, a Buckle.

To add a Modern flair to the Vintage 1945 restoration the Buckle chosen was a Rose Pink Gold double button Deployment Clasp.

The finished look of all Pink and Black on this Watch is really striking, besides who didn't like Pink and Black in the U.S.A. back in 1945.